NewsLab

The NewsLab is devoted to publishing the work of CSS student journalists created in classes. We welcome feedback from anyone interested in CSS, journalism education, or the stories we publish at NewsLab.

There are two picture frames on her office table. One of the pictures is of her husband, and her son and daughter are in the other picture.

Beth Quass, a new faculty member at CSS, is enjoying teaching in the undergraduate and graduate program at CSS.

"People like her and her classroom, because she is happy and energetic."

- Sally Fauchald

She spent three years getting her doctor of nursing practice degree from CSS.

“I got my DNP from CSS in May 2010,” said Quass. “Finishing my DNP is one of my biggest achievements until now, and I am glad I did it, because it had a lot of work to do.”

Her supervisor, Sally Fauchald is glad that she got her DNP successfully. “It is really hard to get a DNP in CSS, and there are a lot of people who want to be nurses,” said Fauchald. “We have very high standard when we admit people into this program, and we like people who are strong students.”

Quass was working at Miller Dwan Hospital, which is located in Duluth, when she was studying for her doctorate, and she said she really had some obstacles on the way to getting her DNP.

“It was hard to find the time to get away from my work to do my assignments,” Quass said. “My whole life changed when I was trying to find the time among my family, work and school.”

There were some people who helped her a lot when she was facing those obstacles, Quass said.

“My husband helped me the most and he was always supporting me and helping me so that I have enough time to study for it,” Quass said. “Lissa and Wendy, two of my coworkers in Miller Dwan Hospital, also helped me a lot.”

Quass has never taught before coming to CSS, so some people here still help her a great deal.

“I just help her to feel comfortable and try to make her feel at home here,” said Laurie Ash, who is Quass’s colleague and friend. “She is a very detail oriented person, and she is also careful and cautious.”

Quass has done quite well so far, Fauchald said. “She is very happy and excited to be here, which transfers into the classroom. People just like her and her classroom because she is happy and energetic. She likes to ask questions and make suggestions, and she is doing much better than I thought she was.”

Stories included in FIRST TAKES packages were written by CSS students in Newswriting and Reporting, and edited by students in Advanced Journalism. All the stories in this section focus on a single topic.